. Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swine. Veterinary medicine. CASTRATION. ^()1 examination commonly employed. Under such circumstances a special speculum is introduced in a closed condition, being afterwards opened and dilated to the required extent. Before inserting the speculum, however, the genital passages should be cleaned, and the speculum itself smeared with vaseline. It pene- trates readily with moderate pressure. Heifers and similar animals require a special (small) instrument (Fig. 318). In certain circumstances, moreover, it is preferable to use retractors, with which local exa
. Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swine. Veterinary medicine. CASTRATION. ^()1 examination commonly employed. Under such circumstances a special speculum is introduced in a closed condition, being afterwards opened and dilated to the required extent. Before inserting the speculum, however, the genital passages should be cleaned, and the speculum itself smeared with vaseline. It pene- trates readily with moderate pressure. Heifers and similar animals require a special (small) instrument (Fig. 318). In certain circumstances, moreover, it is preferable to use retractors, with which local examination is easier. These can be applied at either side of the vagina and drawn apart, thus ex- posing the depths of the genital tract. CASTRATION OF THE COW. The operation of castrating the cow is very old, and was mentioned by both Aristotle and Pliny. Many other descriptions of it have since been given. But more recently the manual technique has been considerably simplified and very fully described. Utility.—The operation is practised for the cure of nympho-mania ; also to prolong the period of milk-yielding and to facihtate fattening. As regards nympho-mania, it is only of value where the excessive excitement is due to disease of the ovaries. Under ordinary conditions the secretion of milk diminishes more or less, and becomes very slight after eight or nine months from calving. If, however, the cow is castrated under favourable circumstances, lactation con- tinues for several months, sometimes for several years, beyond this period. It is said that castrated cows yield milk of a more constant composition and richer in butter fat, casein, and mineral salts than those which are not castrated, although the point cannot be said to have been fully established. To obtain the best results the subjects should have attained their maximum yield of milk and be from five to seven years old. The best period is six weeks to two and a half months after calving. Neglect of these considera
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectveterin, bookyear1920
